Originally from West Virginia, I have always enjoyed small-town living and the strong sense of community it provides. My family and I believe in being engaged neighbors and building meaningful relationships. Whether someone lives next door or across town, we are all part of the same community and share a responsibility to support one another.

Diane Folk for China Grove Town Council

My husband and I moved to Rowan County nine years ago and to China Grove in the fall of 2019. I served the students of Rowan County as the Outdoor Learning Educator at Horizons Unlimited and then in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Jesse C. Carson High School.

My professional background includes both engineering and education:

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Master's Degree in Education.

Attending China Grove Town Council meetings regularly since December 2021.

Speaking as a citizen on issues related to responsible spending, transparency, and community needs.

Serving on the China Grove Planning Board.

Active membership in the Rotary Club of China Grove.

Participating in and supporting local faith and community organizations.

My husband and I moved to Rowan County nine years ago and to China Grove in the fall of 2019. I served the students of Rowan County as the Outdoor Learning Educator at Horizons Unlimited and then in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Jesse C. Carson High School. My professional background includes both engineering and education:

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Master's Degree in Education.

Public school teacher in Virginia, Ohio, and Rowan County, North Carolina.

Engineering experience in both the federal government and private sector.

Public school teacher in Virginia, Ohio, and Rowan County, North Carolina.

Engineering experience in both the federal government and private sector.

Diane Folk worked as an outdoor learning educator at Horizons Unlimited and later worked in the Career and Technical Education program at Jesse C. Carson High School. She has also worked as a public school teacher in Virginia, Ohio, and Rowan County, North Carolina, and has engineering experience in the federal government and private sector.

2026 North Carolina General Election

3. Fiscal Responsibility

Be a careful steward of taxpayer dollars.
Prioritize essential services and infrastructure improvements.
Pursue grants and partnerships to reduce the financial burden on residents.
Encourage community input on budgeting and spending priorities.

5. Supporting a Vibrant Downtown

Encourage locally owned businesses and entrepreneurship.
Promote events that bring residents and visitors downtown while strengthening community connections.
Support beautification projects and façade improvement efforts.
Partner with business owners to enhance economic vitality and create a welcoming downtown environment.

Plans to pursue grants and partnerships to reduce residents' financial burden.

Supports locally owned businesses and entrepreneurship.

Plans to partner with business owners to support downtown economic activity.

- Plans to pursue grants and partnerships to reduce residents' financial burden.
- Supports locally owned businesses and entrepreneurship.
- Plans to partner with business owners to support downtown economic activity.

Economy

Diane Folk – 425 Park Street

She stated she understands around 300 kids sign up each season. She stated at $85.00 for spring and $50.00 for fall, that is $40,000 a year that the Little League organization is collecting. She stated the China Grove Service Club makes money from the concession stand and gives the Little League half. She stated there must be funds left over for the Service Club to pay for improvements to the field as opposed to the town funding it all.

Town of China Grove Town Council Minutes — April 2, 2024 (PDF)

6. Parks, Recreation, and Quality of Life

Maintain and improve parks, trails, and recreational facilities.
Support community events and programs that bring residents together.
Enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles.

Said the China Grove Service Club should use available funds for ballfield improvements instead of having the town pay the full cost.

Prioritizes essential services and infrastructure improvements in town spending.

Supports downtown events that bring residents and visitors together.

Supports downtown beautification and façade-improvement projects.

Supports maintaining and improving parks, trails, and recreational facilities.

Supports community events and programs that bring residents together and expand outdoor-recreation opportunities.

- Said the China Grove Service Club should use available funds for ballfield improvements instead of having the town pay the full cost.
- Prioritizes essential services and infrastructure improvements in town spending.
- Supports downtown events that bring residents and visitors together.
- Supports downtown beautification and façade-improvement projects.
- Supports maintaining and improving parks, trails, and recreational facilities.
- Supports community events and programs that bring residents together and expand outdoor-recreation opportunities.

Public Services

1. Responsible Growth and Development

Support smart, well-planned growth that preserves China Grove's character and small-town charm.
Encourage quality residential and commercial development.
Partner with NCDOT and other agencies to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth.

Supports well-planned growth that preserves China Grove's character while encouraging residential and commercial development.

- Supports well-planned growth that preserves China Grove's character while encouraging residential and commercial development.

Housing & Urban Development

2. Strong Public Safety

Continue investing in police, fire, and emergency services.
Support competitive compensation and training to attract and retain qualified personnel.
Enhance emergency preparedness through ongoing training, planning, and community partnerships.

Supports continued investment in police, fire, and emergency services.

Supports competitive compensation and training to recruit and retain qualified public-safety personnel.

Supports improving emergency preparedness through training, planning, and community partnerships.

- Supports continued investment in police, fire, and emergency services.
- Supports competitive compensation and training to recruit and retain qualified public-safety personnel.
- Supports improving emergency preparedness through training, planning, and community partnerships.

Public Safety

4. Infrastructure and Transportation

Work with NCDOT to improve roads, reduce congestion, and enhance public safety.
Address traffic concerns at key intersections and high-growth areas.
Expand connectivity between neighborhoods, parks, schools, and downtown.
Support long-term planning for stormwater and other critical infrastructure needs.

Plans to partner with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and other agencies so infrastructure keeps pace with growth.

Plans to work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to improve roads, reduce congestion, and address traffic at key intersections and high-growth areas.

Supports improving connections among neighborhoods, parks, schools, and downtown.

Supports long-term planning for stormwater and other critical infrastructure needs.

- Plans to partner with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and other agencies so infrastructure keeps pace with growth.
- Plans to work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to improve roads, reduce congestion, and address traffic at key intersections and high-growth areas.
- Supports improving connections among neighborhoods, parks, schools, and downtown.
- Supports long-term planning for stormwater and other critical infrastructure needs.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of September 2, 2026, Diane Folk’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Diane Folk

- Prioritizes essential services and infrastructure improvements in town spending.
- Supports downtown events that bring residents and visitors together.
- Supports downtown beautification and façade-improvement projects.
- Supports maintaining and improving parks, trails, and recreational facilities.
- Supports community events and programs that bring residents together and expand outdoor-recreation opportunities.

Mauricio Mendez

Walter Ley

Arthur Lee Heggins

Don Bringle

Jason Higgins

Michael (Mike) Roper

Mike Upright

- Town council members serve as the governing body of the town, along with the mayor. 
- The town council members make policy decisions for the town, including creating ordinances, policies, and making agreements with other governments. 
- The town council can amend and revise town policies, as well as approve or reject the town budget. 
- The town council is also in charge of the appointment of advisory boards, commissions, task forces, committees, the town manager, and the town attorney. 
- Members of the town council are elected to staggered 4 year terms. 

Part of the governing body of your town. 